Scroll compressor having rotation prevention mechanism

ABSTRACT

Provided is a scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism including: a housing for accommodating components; a drive unit for generating a rotational force; a suction part for sucking fluid from the exterior; a scroll compression part including a stationary scroll constituted of a spiral scroll wrap for compressing the fluid sucked from the suction part and fixed regardless of rotation of a drive shaft of the drive unit, and an orbiting scroll orbited depending on rotation of the drive shaft and having a spiral scroll wrap; and a discharge part for discharging the high pressure fluid compressed by the scroll compression part, characterized in that a guide ring is installed between the stationary scroll and the suction-side housing, a plurality of fitting pins are installed to project forward from an outer periphery of the orbiting scroll, and a plurality of fitting grooves, in which the fitting pins are accommodated, are formed at an inner periphery of the guide ring.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism, and more particularly, to a scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism capable of reducing wear, vibration, noise, and the number of operations, and enhancing assembly performance by smoothly supplying lubrication oil into the rotation prevention mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a scroll compressor is an apparatus for performing compression using relative movement between a stationary scroll constituted of a scroll wrap and fixed regardless of rotation of a drive shaft, and an orbiting scroll orbited by the rotation of the drive shaft, which is widely used in this field.

In order to maintain predetermined compression efficiency, the rotation should be performed within an error range while the orbiting scroll is orbited. For this purpose, a rotation prevention mechanism is generally installed in the scroll compressor.

Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2005-28214 discloses a scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism, which will be described in brief with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

As shown, the conventional scroll compressor includes a housing, a drive unit for generating rotational force, a suction part for sucking fluid from the exterior, a scroll compression part for compressing the fluid sucked through the suction part, and a discharge part for discharging a high pressure fluid compressed by the scroll compression part.

First, the drive unit includes a drive motor having a stator 21 and a rotor 22 disposed inside the stator 21, and a drive shaft 20 rotatably inserted into a center of the drive motor.

In addition, the suction part includes a suction pipe 70 formed at one side of an outer periphery of the compressor, and a suction chamber 71 in communication with the suction pipe 70 and in which introduced coolant is accumulated.

Further, the scroll compression part includes an upper frame 80 surrounding an outer periphery of the drive shaft 20 and having a key groove formed at one side of an upper surface and a thrust surface formed at a center thereof, an Oldham ring 30 having a key coupled with the key groove formed at the upper frame 80 and straightly reciprocating on the upper frame 80, an orbiting scroll 40 coupled with an upper part of the Oldham ring 20 by the key and having a spiral scroll wrap 41, and a stationary scroll 50 disposed on the orbiting scroll 40 and fixed to an upper diaphragm and an outer cell of the compressor.

Furthermore, the discharge part includes a discharge port 60 formed at a center of the stationary scroll 50 to discharge the compressed coolant, a discharge chamber 61 in communication with the discharge port 60 and formed at the outermost part of the compressor, and a discharge pipe 62 formed at one side of the discharge chamber 61. In addition, the orbiting scroll 40 and the stationary scroll 50 of the scroll compressor have the spiral scroll wraps 41 and 51 to compress the coolant using interaction of the orbiting scroll wrap 41 and the stationary scroll wrap 51.

Especially, the Oldham ring 30 is inserted between the orbiting scroll 40 and the upper frame 80 to interlock with each other to thereby induce orbital movement of the orbiting scroll 40.

Meanwhile, in the discharge part, a check valve 63 and a check valve housing 64 are disposed between the discharge port 60 and the discharge chamber 62 to be fixed to the discharge port 60 and prevent back-flow of the coolant discharged through the discharge port 60.

Operation of the conventional scroll compressor will be described with reference to the above constitution.

First, when the drive motor constituted of the stator 21 and the rotor 22 is operated, the drive shaft 20 coupled with the rotor 22 of the drive motor is rotated. Then, rotation of the drive shaft 20 causes suction of the coolant through the suction pipe, and the low pressure coolant introduced into the compressor through the suction pipe 70 enters the suction chamber 71 in communication with the suction pipe 70 and then enters the scroll compression part.

The coolant introduced into the scroll compression part is compressed to a high pressure by orbital movement of the orbiting scroll 40, and the compressed coolant is collected to a center of a scroll. In addition, the collected high pressure coolant is discharged to the discharge chamber 61 through the discharge port 60. At this time, in order to prevent the high pressure coolant in the discharge chamber from being flowed back to the scroll compression part, the check valve 63 and the check valve housing 64 are formed to perform a back-flow prevention operation.

Eventually, the coolant accumulated in the discharge chamber 61 is discharged to the exterior of the compressor through the discharge pipe 62.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process of compressing coolant in the conventional scroll compression part.

First, as the drive shaft 20 rotates, the orbiting scroll 40 is eccentrically disposed to the drive shaft 20 to orbit (rotate) about the drive shaft 20. Then, the orbiting scroll 40 is orbited with respect to the stationary scroll 50 by rotation of the drive shaft 20 to make the wraps 41 and 51 in surface contact with each other to form a pocket 99 for compressing coolant.

In addition, the pocket 99 turns around a center part of the scroll wrap to reduce its volume to thereby increase a pressure therein. As a result, the high pressure fluid moves to the discharge chamber 61 through the discharge port 60 formed at a center of a scroll member.

However, when the Oldham ring is used in the conventional scroll compressor, friction between the key and the key groove is unavoidable.

In addition, the friction may cause gradual reduction in compression efficiency of the coolant and deterioration of vibration and noise.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In order to solve the foregoing and/or other problems, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism capable of reducing wear, vibration, noise, and the number of operations, and enhancing assembly performance by smoothly supplying lubrication oil into the rotation prevention mechanism.

Technical Solution

One aspect of the present invention provides a scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism including: a housing for accommodating components; a drive unit for generating a rotational force; a suction part for sucking fluid from the exterior; a scroll compression part including a stationary scroll constituted of a spiral scroll wrap for compressing the fluid sucked from the suction part and fixed regardless of rotation of a drive shaft of the drive unit, and an orbiting scroll orbited depending on rotation of the drive shaft and having a spiral scroll wrap; and a discharge part for discharging the high pressure fluid compressed by the scroll compression part,

characterized in that a guide ring is installed between the stationary scroll and the suction-side housing,

a plurality of fitting pins are installed to project forward from an outer periphery of the orbiting scroll, and

a plurality of fitting grooves, in which the fitting pins are accommodated, are formed at an inner periphery of the guide ring.

The fitting pins may be installed at fitting pin installation parts radially projecting from the outer periphery of the orbiting scroll.

In addition, the housing may be constituted of a front housing and a rear housing adjacent to the suction part, a main frame may be installed inside the housing to support the drive shaft, and the guide ring may be disposed between the stationary scroll and the main frame.

The stationary scroll and the guide ring may be formed of the same material or different materials, and integrally formed with each other when formed of the same material.

In addition, when seen in an axial direction, the fitting grooves may have an arcuate shape.

Further, the fitting pins and the fitting grooves may be disposed on a fluid suction path.

Furthermore, the fitting grooves may be heat-treated or surface-treated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a process of compressing coolant in the scroll compressor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rotation prevention mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing structure of an Oldham ring of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of the rotation prevention mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of an orbiting scroll of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a guide ring of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a stationary scroll of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a front view of engagement between fitting pins and fitting grooves in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a front view of an inner engagement structure of FIG. 13.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

A scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12.

As shown, the scroll compressor in accordance with the present invention includes a housing (or a frame) 800, a drive unit for generating a rotational force, a suction part for sucking fluid from the exterior, a scroll compression part for compressing the fluid sucked from the suction part, and a discharge part for discharging the high pressure fluid compressed by the scroll compression part. Reference numeral G designates a gasket.

The housing 800 is constituted of a front housing 810 and a rear housing 820, and further includes a rotation prevention mechanism to be described, and a main frame 860 for supporting a drive shaft 200. The front housing 810 has an oil separator 880 formed therein.

The housing 800 may not be a major component of the present invention, and may have a shape and structure different from the drawings.

First, the drive unit includes a drive motor 230 having a stator 210 and a rotor 220 disposed inside the stator 210, and a drive shaft 200 rotatably inserted into a center of the drive motor 230.

In addition, a main bearing 240 and a sub bearing 250 are installed at the drive shaft 200 rotated by the drive motor 230, and the sub bearing 250 supports a periphery of an eccentric operation part 260 eccentrically installed at the drive shaft 200.

Further, the scroll compression part is constituted of a stationary scroll 500 and an orbiting scroll 400. The stationary scroll 500 is fixed to the housing 800 and has a scroll wrap 510, and the orbiting scroll 400 is coupled with the stationary scroll 500 and also has a spiral scroll wrap 410.

Furthermore, the eccentric operation part 260 installed at the drive shaft 200 is connected to the orbiting scroll 400 through the medium of the sub bearing 250.

Therefore, as the drive shaft 200 rotates, the eccentric operation part 260 is eccentrically rotated with respect to the drive shaft 200. Eventually, the orbiting scroll 400 installed at the eccentric operation part 260 through the medium of the sub bearing 250 is orbited with respect to the stationary scroll 500.

As described above, orbital movement of the orbiting scroll 400 forms a pocket between the scroll wraps 410 and 510 such that a volume of the pocket is continuously varied to compress coolant.

Meanwhile, the suction part includes a suction pipe (not shown) formed at one side of an outer periphery of the compressor, and a suction chamber 710 in communication with the suction pipe and accumulating the introduced coolant.

In addition, the discharge part includes a discharge port 600 formed at a center of the stationary scroll 500 to discharge the compressed coolant, and a discharge port 610 in communication with the discharge port 600 and formed at an end of the compressor.

A check valve 630 is also installed to prevent back-flow of the coolant discharged through the discharge port 600.

A thrust plate 870 is interposed between the orbiting scroll 400 and a support part of the housing 800 to support orbital movement of the orbiting scroll 400.

The rotation prevention mechanism in accordance with the present invention is formed in the rear of the stationary scroll 500, and the constitution thereof will be described below in detail. In exemplary embodiments, like reference numerals designates like elements, and their description will not be repeated.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, the spiral scroll wrap 510 is formed at the stationary scroll 500, and the spiral scroll wrap 410 is also formed at the orbiting scroll 400 coupled with the stationary scroll 500. As the orbiting scroll 400 orbits, the rotation prevention mechanism is formed at the scroll compression part to perform compression of the introduced fluid (coolant).

In addition, in the rotation prevention mechanism in accordance with the exemplary embodiment, a guide ring 100 is installed around a suction side of the stationary scroll 500, and a plurality of fitting pins 900 are installed to project forward around the orbiting scroll 400. Especially, the fitting pins 900 project toward the guide ring 100.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, fitting pin installation parts 490 radially project from an outer periphery of the orbiting scroll 400 at predetermined intervals, and the fitting pins 900 are formed at the fitting pin installation parts 490 in the same direction as the scroll wrap 410.

The fitting pins 900 may be integrally formed with the orbiting scroll 400 by casting or forging, or may be installed at the fitting pin installation parts 490 by welding or the like.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the guide ring 100 is disposed between the stationary scroll 500 and the main frame 860 to prevent rotation of the orbiting scroll 400.

For this purpose, fitting grooves 150 are formed at an inner periphery of the guide ring 100 to accommodate the fitting pins 900. In FIG. 10, more preferably, the fitting grooves may have an arcuate shape, or preferably, a smoothly curved groove, but may not be limited thereto.

In addition, a plurality of fastening holes 190 are circumferentially formed at the guide ring 100 to be coupled with the housing 800.

The guide ring 100 has a circular outer periphery, but may not be limited thereto.

Further, while the guide ring 100 is shown as a separate component, the guide ring 100 may be integrally formed with the stationary scroll 500.

The fitting pins 900 of the orbiting scroll 400 and the fitting grooves 150 of the guide ring 100 are circumferentially formed at predetermined intervals in order to uniformly distribute the load during operation.

As shown in FIG. 11, installation pieces 570 are formed at a surface of the stationary scroll 500 having the scroll wrap 510 and disposed around the scroll wrap 510 toward the drive shaft.

In addition, an O-ring 830 is disposed on a bottom of the stationary scroll 500 opposite to a bottom of the housing 800 to prevent leakage of oil.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stationary scroll 500, the guide ring 100 and the main frame 860 accommodate the orbiting scroll 400 therein and are closely coupled with each other around the orbiting scroll 400.

Further, the installation pieces 570 have a height slightly smaller than a width of the scroll wrap 510. However, a dimensional relationship between them may be adjusted.

Meanwhile, in order to increase wear resistance, the fitting pins 900 and the fitting grooves 150 may be generally heat-treated or surface-treated.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotation prevention mechanism is disposed between the front housing 810 and the rear housing 820, the stationary scroll 500 is mounted inside the front housing 810, and the orbiting scroll 400 is installed at the rear housing 820 through the medium of the main frame 860. In addition, the guide ring 100 is disposed between the stationary scroll 500 and the main frame 860, and is coupled with the front housing 810 and the rear housing 820 by fastening means 700 such as bolts.

Further, the guide ring 100 is fixed between the front housing 810 and the rear housing 820.

As shown in FIG. 6, the stationary scroll 500, the guide ring 100 and the main frame 860 are closely coupled with each other, and the fitting pins 900 of the orbiting scroll 400 are accommodated and hooked into the fitting grooves 150 of the guide ring 100, thereby preventing rotation during orbital movement of the orbiting scroll 400.

In this case, since the fitting grooves 150 are larger than the fitting pins 900, some clearance between the fitting pins and the fitting grooves may exist during the orbital movement.

FIG. 12 illustrates coupling structure of the orbiting scroll 400 and the guide ring 100 during the orbital movement. Here, M represents a moment, L represents a length from a center O of the drive shaft to the fitting pins 900, F represents a contact load between the fitting pins 900 and the fitting grooves 150, and μ represents friction coefficient.

As shown, since the fitting pins 900 are far from the center O of the drive shaft, the contact load F with respect to the applied moment M is reduced, and therefore, friction between the fitting pins and the fitting grooves is also reduced.

Meanwhile, as shown, since the rotation prevention mechanism is formed around the scroll disposed on the suction path of the coolant, lubrication oil may be readily supplied.

Embodiment 2

FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate a scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Descriptions similar to Embodiment 1 will not be repeated, and only descriptions different from Embodiment 1 will be described.

As shown, in the rotation prevention mechanism in accordance with the embodiment, a guide ring 100 is installed around a suction side of a stationary scroll 500, and a plurality of fitting pins 900 project forward around an orbiting scroll 400. Especially, the fitting pins 900 project toward the guide ring 100.

In addition, the guide ring 100 is installed between the stationary scroll 500 and a main frame 860.

In contrast to Embodiment 1, the guide ring 100 is accommodated inside a front housing 810.

Therefore, the front housing 810 and a rear housing 820 are in direct contact with each other, and a gasket G is interposed therebetween. That is, in contrast to Embodiment 1, only a single gasket can be used.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As can be seen from the foregoing, since rotation of a scroll compressor is prevented by coupling of fitting pins and fitting grooves between a stationary scroll and an orbiting scroll, lubrication can be sufficiently performed by a suction gas to remarkably reduce noise and vibration due to friction, in comparison with the conventional art.

In addition, reduction in contact load decreases friction, and therefore, it is possible to prevent reduction in compression efficiency of the compressor.

Further, the fitting pins are formed around the orbiting scroll to be coupled with fitting grooves of a guide ring, thereby enhancing assembly performance.

Furthermore, a front housing and a rear housing can be assembled through a single fastening operation, and the number of components and operations can be reduced.

In addition, since the fitting pins are formed around the orbiting scroll, it is possible to enlarge a cross-sectional area of a back pressure chamber.

Further, since the rotation prevention mechanism is formed around the orbiting scroll disposed on a suction path, it is possible to increase lubrication performance.

Furthermore, since the fitting grooves are heat-treated or surface-treated, it is possible to effectively prevent wearing thereof. 

1. A scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism including: a housing for accommodating components; a drive unit for generating a rotational force; a suction part for sucking fluid from the exterior; a scroll compression part including a stationary scroll constituted of a spiral scroll wrap for compressing the fluid sucked from the suction part and fixed regardless of rotation of a drive shaft of the drive unit, and an orbiting scroll orbited depending on rotation of the drive shaft and having a spiral scroll wrap; and a discharge part for discharging the high pressure fluid compressed by the scroll compression part, characterized in that a guide ring is installed between the stationary scroll and the suction-side housing, a plurality of fitting pins are installed to project forward from an outer periphery of the orbiting scroll, and a plurality of fitting grooves, in which the fitting pins are accommodated, are formed at an inner periphery of the guide ring.
 2. The scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the fitting pins are installed at fitting pin installation parts radially projecting from the outer periphery of the orbiting scroll.
 3. The scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the housing is constituted of a front housing and a rear housing adjacent to the suction part, a main frame is installed inside the housing to support the drive shaft, and the guide ring is disposed between the stationary scroll and the main frame.
 4. The scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the stationary scroll and the guide ring are formed of the same material or different materials, and integrally formed with each other when formed of the same material.
 5. The scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism according to claim 3, wherein, when seen in an axial direction, the fitting grooves have an arcuate shape.
 6. The scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the fitting pins and the fitting grooves are disposed on a fluid suction path.
 7. The scroll compressor having a rotation prevention mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the fitting grooves are heat-treated or surface-treated. 